“I haven’t been in there, but the people who have say she’s got a gift!” He nudged his sister in the ribs. “Morgan here actually believes in that stuff.”
“I believe that some people can tell the future, but I’m not sure I believe that she can. Either way, I think it’s fun. Would you want to go see her with me, Allison? I have been trying to convince Matt to go with me but he just ends up teasing me.” Morgan glared at her brother.
“Kent paid her a week’s supply of MREs for his palm reading. It’s a waste of supplies and I won’t take part in such utter crap,” Matt said as he poked at Morgan teasingly.
“I’ve never been to a psychic before. I don’t believe in that stuff, but I could use a little fun.” Morgan’s face lit up at Allison’s words.
“I’ve never been to one either! We can burst our psychic cherries together!”
“Gross! You ladies go do that. I’m going to see if Mr. Samson needs any help in the mechanic shop today. I heard one of the hunters’ trucks came back with some heavy damage. I’d love to check it out. Meet at Town Hall for lunch around noon?” Before either of them could reply, Matt took off in a jog, quickly disappearing from their sight.
Morgan grabbed Allison’s hand and pulled her across the street, up onto the palm reader’s porch. She knocked on the door and fidgeted with excitement next to Allison. A woman answered the door. Her long black hair was pulled over her shoulder in a braid almost touching the floor.
“Can I help you?” the woman asked in a pleasant voice as she stroked the fringes of her tan beaded vest.
“Yes, we would like a palm reading, please,” Morgan said excitedly.
“I see. And what have you brought for payment?” she asked. The woman did a once-over on Morgan, quickly realizing she had nothing on her to trade. Her eyes fell on Allison’s pack.
Morgan’s face fell. “Oh. I was in such a rush to see you I completely forgot. I don’t . . .”
“I have a lot of different things in my pack. I’m sure we can come to an agreement.” Allison smiled at Morgan.
“Please come in. I’m Sophie.” She stepped to the side, her bright, flowy skirt swishing as she moved.
She ushered them through a curtain into a room at the front of the house that must have originally been a dining room or an office. Colorful fabric draped the walls, and a thick rug covered most of the tile floor. A sheer pink fabric was swathed over the windows, illuminating the room with a pink hue. Candles were scattered across every surface and a table with a green felt top sat in the center of the room surrounded by four chairs. They each took a seat around the table and Allison opened her pack. She laid out some items for Sophie to look at. A can of cherry pie filling, a half-full bottle of water, purification tablets, a small Swiss Army knife, and a small can of tuna.
“This will do,” she said. Sophie took a basket out from under the table and placed the items inside before returning the basket to its spot. She looked at Morgan as she spoke: “Now place your hands on the table, palms facing up.” Sophie placed her hands on the felt tabletop.
Morgan did as she was instructed. Sophie pulled a crystal from her pocket and ran it over distinct lines on Morgan’s palms. Morgan grinned from ear to ear, tapping her feet under the table excitedly.
“Which hand is your dominant hand?” Sophie asked. Morgan shook her right hand and Sophie grasped it between her hands, leaning in as she stared at her palm. “You have an Earth hand. You are a very level-headed person.” She ran the crystal across Morgan’s hand. “You will have a long life. See this line here? It is your lifeline.” She used the crystal to point to different lines on Morgan’s hand as she spoke. “Your left hand shows your potential and your right shows what you have done with that potential. See your heart line on your right is small, showing you have very little experience falling in love. But on your left, it is long and starts under your index finger, showing you will have a satisfying love life.” Sophie glanced back and forth between Morgan’s hands, running the crystal over the lines, sighing slightly as she did. “This line indicates you will have a child, maybe two, but the second line is very faint. But at least one.” Sophie’s face briefly appeared concerned, but she quickly replaced the look with a slight smile when she noticed Allison looking at her. “You overindulge yourself and hold on to grudges. You have difficulty letting go. Your fate line shows you have a very specific destiny, but your life will be riddled with hard choices. You should evaluate your choices logically instead of following your emotions. That is all I see,” Sophie said. She released Morgan’s hand and leaned back in her chair.
Morgan placed her hands in her lap and stared down at them. “You can tell all that just by looking at my hands? That is so cool,” Morgan giggled with happiness. “What is my destiny? I thought I’d be an actress in Hollywood, but that seems like it is not an option anymore.” Morgan sighed and looked at Sophie.
“Oh, child, your destiny is much bigger than a stage, but what it is I cannot tell you as I do not know. I do know that you will influence this world and help shape it into what it will be. You will have to decide which side of history you want to be on.” Morgan tried to speak again, but Sophie held up a hand, stopping her. “It is now your friend’s turn.
